Benicio Del Toro grandiose as a tormented detective in “Reptile”, Grant Singer’s first film

After the assassination of a real estate agent in extraordinary circumstances, a police officer who has returned from everything becomes embroiled in an opaque affair with unexpected ramifications. You have to go back a long way to see actor Benicio Del Toro, also co-writer and co-producer, take so much pleasure in playing such a dark role.

Detective Tom Nichols takes the Summer affair seriously, he sees it as an opportunity to come to terms with his dark past. Summer, a real estate agent, is killed in strange circumstances. His companion, a real estate tycoon, played by a credible Justin Timberlake in the role of a man under the influence, seems out of the question, with a concrete alibi.

What begins with the classic tricks of a thriller then takes on tremendous depth, thanks mainly to the acting. For his first feature film, Grant Singer brought together a great lineup: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Pitt, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi…

But who killed Summer?

The a priori agreed plot actually takes unexpected directions. The film leaves the shores of the thriller to join the suffocating air of an atmospheric thriller which is reminiscent of the series True detective. Grant Singer constructs a film with continuous tension. And the intrusive colleague, the friend who wishes you well, played by a creepy Domenick Lombardozzi, revealed in the series The Wireis there to remind you that the unspoken and the tacit agreement are a guarantee of friendship.

Group logic versus individual freedom. We make it clear that it would be more intelligent to be satisfied with a culprit, who would suit everyone, than to constantly stir up mud. Because behind the assassination of the real estate agent lie big interests.

Black is black. The characters reveal their dark side. Reptile is a first film, loaded with numerous references, which is easy to watch. The impression of déjà vu is omnipresent but it is offset by the breathtaking performance of Benicio Del Toro. Bluffing.

Form

Title : Reptile

Realization : Grant Singer

Distribution : Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Pitt, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi

Duration : 2h16

Summary : In wanting to discover the truth about the brutal murder of a young real estate agent, a hardened police officer gets lost in a labyrinth of incredible lies.